– Kim’s Famous Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee hawker
– Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee stall at Kim’s Famous.
Mr Tan Kue Kim, the “Rolex Mee Master”, Passes Away at 78
Mr Tan Kue Kim, popularly known as the “Rolex Mee Master” for his famous fried Hokkien prawn mee, sadly passed away on February 14 at the age of 78. The news of his demise was shared by fellow hawker and founder of Facebook group Hawkers United – Dabao 2020, Mr Melvin Chew, on the afternoon of February 15. Mr Chew also provided details of the wake in the comments section.
The cause of Mr Tan’s death was a sudden heart attack, as revealed by his eldest son, Mr Tan Fu Rong. According to Mr Fu Rong, his father had been feeling uncomfortable since the Chinese New Year weekend, experiencing a lack of appetite and a bloated stomach. Despite these symptoms, the sudden loss of his father came as a shock to Mr Fu Rong, who expressed his sadness at the unexpected turn of events. He shared that he and his siblings were very close to their father.
In addition to his children, Mr Tan Kue Kim is survived by his wife and four grandchildren.
A Life Dedicated to Hokkien Mee
Mr Tan Kue Kim’s journey with Hokkien mee began in the 1960s when he learned how to fry the popular dish under the guidance of his elder cousin. In 1971, he took a leap of faith and set up his own stall in Changi Road.
It was in the 1980s that Mr Tan’s fame skyrocketed, partly due to his flamboyant style. He would fry Hokkien mee while proudly wearing a Rolex watch and a long-sleeved shirt. In an interview with the Shin Min Daily News in September 2023, Mr Tan shared that he adopted this unique attire to challenge the perception that blue-collar jobs were less valuable than white-collar occupations. His dedication to making delicious food allowed him to overcome the heat of the kitchen while wearing a long-sleeved shirt.
As his business flourished, Mr Tan opened his own eating house in Changi in 1986. Apart from his famous Hokkien mee, he also served dishes such as sambal kangkong, black pepper crab, claypot abalone Hokkien mee, and fish maw soup. In 1989, he ventured into the restaurant industry by purchasing a building in Geylang. However, the restaurant did not attract enough customers, leading him to close it in 1996 and set up a stall in Ang Mo Kio Central.
In 2002, Mr Tan relocated his stall to the 62B Jalan Eunos coffee shop, where it remains to this day. Along the way, he introduced new dishes, including his now-famous oyster Hokkien mee. His culinary skills and dedication to his craft earned him recognition, with Kim’s Famous Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee being included in the Top 50 World Street Food Masters list by renowned Singapore food critic K.F. Seetoh’s World Street Food Congress in 2017.
The Future of the Business
With Mr Tan’s untimely passing, the question of who will take over his business remains unanswered. His son, Mr Tan Fu Rong, entered the trade in 1996 and now runs his own seafood eatery in East Coast Road. However, a report by the Shin Min Daily News in September 2023 stated that Mr Tan Kue Kim was actively seeking a successor, as he believed his son had not learned enough.
Although his search for a successor was unsuccessful, Mr Tan Fu Rong has expressed that the family will discuss the future of the stall after the funeral on February 19.
Regardless of what lies ahead, Mr Tan Kue Kim and his iconic Hokkien mee, packed with flavor and cooked to perfection, will be deeply missed by his loyal fans and food enthusiasts alike.
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– Kim’s Famous Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee hawker
– Makan News.
